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Sengoku the final boss. Gahara has nothing on her... is what I wanted to say, but I thoroughly enjoyed the Araragi x Senjougahara scene. They really do make a great couple, especially when Araragi is so M Gahara blush was very cute, and Araragi showing some GAR moments was nice as well. Family. Serious Business.

Me too. Ever since we saw him cuffed in the first episode, I was hoping that'd be how he'd escape (rather than having Hitagi let him go) so I was ecstatic when it finally happened. Very cool scene. You have to wonder why he didn't do that sooner though, either he wanted to let her have her fun or he secretly enjoyed her abuse.

I think it's both, really. I always think that Araragi is secretly an M, or at least he really enjoys what Senjougahara always do to him. They both know that though, and that's why they enjoy the game they're playing with each other. That's why when asked, Araragi said that she loves everything about Senjougahara, and that includes when she's being rather abusive towards him. After all, as this episode shows if he doesn't like how she treats her, he could get away anytime he wants and there's nothing Senjougahara can do to stop him.

Of course, most viewers may not agree with him and finds her treatment excessive, but that's in fact one of the reasons that he likes her, so what can you do. In fact, I like it better - screwed up that may be, at least it shows he got a character and not a blank state self-insert character like most harem protagonist.

Anyway, about the episode, great to see the plot finally showing itself. Looks like it's going to hit the fan next ep, time to see some action. Enjoyable bits of Nadeko and Kanbaru, but Senjougahara shines the most for me. It's always great to see her rare dere mode, but her being defeated in a debate by Araragi (that's why you love me, right?) is such a rarity it's truly a sight to behold.

Also, what's surprising to me is that for all the threats and bluster, she's actually pretty understanding and trusting to Araragi. After all, technically she does has an ax to grind that her boyfriend rushes over to other girls instead of contacting her when he had a free time, but she rightfully accepts his explanation that he's just playing (a bit too literally, much to Nadeko's chagrin) with them and won't cheat on her, without much fuss.

First reaction to Kaiki: "Wait a second, you're not a girl!" I loved Araragi's about-face on his bike when he decided not to follow him. They lingered on it for a moment, presumably to let us wonder what might have happened had he hadn't changed his mind. Senjogahara calls him a "fake" twice, so everything is starting to coalesce.

Kanbaru's new-found respect for Nadeko after Araragi describes the twister game ("She lost, but she seemed happy anyway!") was hysterical. I missed this cast so badly.

Also...

"I saw a weird guy in front of Kanbaru's house"
"Oh? When did they hang the mirror in front of her house?"

Every time Senjogahara talks to Araragi, I keep waiting for a ref stoppage. It's always such a massacre.

This Kaiki guy is definitely pretty creepy. Though suppose we can only call him a fake in terms of following through with helping people. He definitely ripped off Senjougahara's family, but it seems he also had the knowledge and ability to help. He probably was there to 'help' Kanbaru and rip off her family in the process. Still can't doubt that he has his own skills since Araragi had a bad feeling about following that guy.

Does show that Araragi will do whatever it takes for his sisters especially when it's a call for help. He can't leave strangers alone so if it comes down to family it's no shock he just broke the restraints ready to go. Can respect Senjougahara's desire to protect him and that's just the relationship they have. Did have a good response with bringing up it was because he would go and save anyone that she fell for him. So she can hardly stand in his way when he's just being what she loves.

I'm worried about that message though. His sisters are hardly weaklings.

Thinking on it seems probable that this Kaiki guy is the one who spread that curse around so someone like Sengoku might get in trouble and he could swoop in to make some cash. Although if that's true then the one Araragi's sisters are looking for.....

I think it's both, really. I always think that Araragi is secretly an M, or at least he really enjoys what Senjougahara always do to him.

I'm not sure if this makes sense or not, but it occurs to me that Hitagi may make him feel human, in a way. I mean, he's a vampire with extraordinary strength, recovery abilities and all that, but Hitagi acts like she's in total control around him. So, when he's with her, he can feel like he's just a normal human being again, even if they both know at a certain level they're just pretending. Someone who can naturally dominate finding comfort in being dominated by someone they trust completely; I don't know that it would necessarily have worked if not for his transformation.

I'm not sure if this makes sense or not, but it occurs to me that Hitagi may make him feel human, in a way. I mean, he's a vampire with extraordinary strength, recovery abilities and all that, but Hitagi acts like she's in total control around him.

High-five! That's exactly how I see it, especially after this episode. I enjoyed that little moment of acknowledgement between the two where there was a shared understanding that in reality, she's no match for him at all. She was, however, quick to remind him that it wouldn't stop her from going tooth-and-stapler on him, which made her reversing her position after the phone call, and the vague apology all the more ominous.

Just a reminder... because of Tsubasa's little plot, Koyomi stood up the Fire Sisters... coincidence

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elestia

Sengoku as the final boss? I wouldn't mind losing for all eternity.

Think of the possibilities after winning

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xellos-_^

Koyomi was quite manly this ep. Nice to see Hitagi's dere side, Koyomi might not be only M in this relationship.

Hm, that sorry was just but I wouldn't go so far to call any of the two submissive, Koyomi can not get hurt and by now he must be used to pain that would sent a normal person into unconsciousness, while Hitagi indeed puts up a lot of acting as supreme and powerful woman, but deep down she is just a little girl in love, like Nadeko and Tsubasa has a really hard time expressing it

That is not masochism, just youth having a hard time to accept their emotions and overreacting in denial

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xellos-_^

And just what is going on between Hitagi and Hanakawa.

It boggles the mind... Hanekawa/Senjogahara combo is not meant for this world

Let add, what's up with Keiki and Kanbaru, Karen and Tsukihi, in three episodes there are so many hints and build up that other shows need a couple of seasons to throw at the audience... and that is without neglecting to serve the fans (Tsubasa-fanboys excluded)

In the first (actually, second) chapter of the Nise Araragi, when describing Senjougahara, mentions that she suffered a trauma and that's why she came to be like that. The point is that Senjougahara wanted to change and Araragi was feeling like he was helping her change. That's why he puts up with what she does. He's not M. One could think Senjougahara was the ideal girl for him because Araragi liked to help and Senjougahara needed help for a long time. Anyway, as the LN obviously don't describe Araragi's feelings in detail, many other interpretations are also possible.

If I remember correctly, Hitagi was always speaking highly of Hanekawa during Bake, and even mentions in one scene how Hanekawa is on a league of her own. At that point, one assumes Hitagi is talking about her intelligence, but that quick conversation at the end of this episode shows that Hitagi's respect for her could be even bigger.

-Araragi remarks Kanbaru is the guy often seen in shounen manga, the early enemy who becomes an ally.
-When Araragi found the cards among the piles of trash he also found Washizu Mahjong, but he pretended not to see it. By the way, the game Araragi plays with Kanbaru is Koikoi, the same seen in Summer Wars.
-Kanbaru wonders to whom she could pair Araragi with since Oshino is not there anymore.
-Kanbaru tries calling Araragi an "oniichan", using typical lines like "Koyomi-oniichan, don't be mean to me". Araragi recognized the effect was powerful, but he stopped Kanbaru as soon as she put in the same line "Koyomi-oniichan" and "sexual intercourse".
-Senjougahara calls Araragi a pipsqueak. Araragi is worried that the anime adaptation could reveal the fact he is some millimeters shorter than Senjougahara, so he would like the anime to be an original work. Senjougahara replies that in the anime version Araragi will be cut, like Takuto, the main character of Galaxy Angel, who was cut with the anime adaptation.
-Senjougahara says that with all this foreshadowing she wil disappointed if the ending will actually have a dance.
-When Senjougahara put his hand into his mouth, Araragi for a while speaks only with hiragana (ie: no kanji).
-Senjougahara calls Araragi's bike a "ketta machine" (Nagoya slang), making him wondering if she is from Nagoya.
-Senjougahara states that the difference between a kid and an adult is that the kid has only watched the movie of Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, while the adult has read its manga as well. Araragi has yet to read that manga.
-Senjougahara jokes that Araragi's character is the one kind to girls but cold to boys. Like, if he saw a boy in trouble he will just give a perfunctory encouragement like "Hmm, I see, hang in there" and will go home, and even if the boy actually says "help me!" he will just reply "I think I'll pass".
-An error in traslation by CR. When Senjougahara says that she won't let Araragi pass through there, Araragi replies that those lines won't work unless the one who says them is doing a bridge (a reference to Karen).

After two episodes of harem hilarity I'd almost forgotten how much I enjoyed Senjougahara's abusive love. Those two are so good together.

The end where Araragi becomes awesome to save his sister was... well... awesome. But Senjougahara's reaction to him was heart meltingly charming! A touch of shy deredere pay off in the same episode where she's accused of abusing the role... oh delightful.

Visual quotes from Eva, classic SHAFT, and now Akira... only round out the delight. And of course we're all enjoying a game of Twister for several episodes!

I know it's early, but all things considered I think this second season is much tighter and even more satisfying than the first. And the production quality and animation is consistently through the freaking roof!